Handloads: A Heavy-Hitting 12 Gauge

by
posted on December 19, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hand12ga.jpg

virtual “pumpkin,” this heavy-hitting 12-ga. load is composed of a 2" Cheddite hull with a Cheddite 209 primer and 26 grs. of Hi-Skor 800-X propellant. That combination launches the 550-gr., 0.715"-wide, hardened lead round ball from a 2558" barrel at 1252 f.p.s., resulting in 1,914 ft.-lbs. of energy. That’s more than many full-house .454 Casull loads. Even from a smoothbore shotgun, accuracy is surprisingly good—measuring 3.16" for 25 shots at 20 yds. Due to its short overall length, which is approximately 1 3/4" when loaded, you’re afforded additional magazine capacity. The end result is a load that’s perfect for protection in the home and around camp, as well as for close-in big-game hunting.

Latest

Untitled 1 7
Untitled 1 7

Headed for Houston? Check Out We The Free’s Limited Edition Guns

We The Free has partnered with Fusion Firearms and Ranger Point Precision on two limited-edition firearms—its way of thanking you for supporting the NRA, Second Amendment and becoming a paid subscriber of We The Free.

I Have This Old Gun: Japanese Type 97 HMG

The Imperial Japanese army learned important lessons during the fighting in Manchuria, and these contributed to the development of its Type 97 machine gun, chambered for a heavier, harder-hitting cartridge.

Skills Check: The Event Horizon Drill

The Event Horizon drill is designed to pull attention away from consequence and return it to process by removing the shooter’s ability to visually reward or punish themselves shot-to-shot.

Ruger HSS Reassembly Aid Going Out of Business

If you've ever struggled to reassemble a Ruger Standard Model pistol, Hammer Strut Support offered an easy, patented solution for decades, but the company recently announced it would be closing its doors.

Taurus RPC: The Bull Does a PDW

Taurus is joining the PDW market with its 9 mm-chambered RPC, a large-format, semi-automatic pistol with plenty of capacity.

Weird Guns & The People Who Like Them

Whenever an unusual firearm crossed the table at Tam's local gun shop, there was always a buyer for it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.